We looked incredibly bad compared to Denver against this opponent. I don't think that constitutes the season being over, but we're not going to go very far if we continue to play this way against quality opponents.

Atlanta is perfectly suited to beat our defense. 2 elite WRs against 2 inconsistant CBs, plus Gonzalez who always slaughters us regardless of which team he's playing for.

Do I think we're an elite team, **** no, we had no business being on the same field as the Falcons today. This was the 2nd worst performance of the Norv Turner era, behind only the Lions game in 2011, and just ahead of the Bengals game in 2010, and the Steelers game in 2008.

That said I'm willing push this one off as just a bad matchup for us, I think we will win next week in KC, and I see no reason why Peyton Manning would magically start having success against us in week 5. But Jared Gaither needs to come back soon, Philip Rivers is starting to panic in the pocket again.

We turned the ball over at the worst times in this game. I don't think there is ever a good time to turn it over but we just did. We were unlucky today and that's football. Wideouts made drops in crucial times. And Rivers missed throws at crucial times.

Norv must focus on the OL this week. Doubt he does, but I'm just saying. Hopefully Mathews can get more touches this week in practice cause we need a run game. Both Mathews and Battle could cause problems for opposing defenses as they have two different running styles. But also, adding Brown or Brinkley to that mix.

Norv also has to get creative. Use Royal more PLEASE. If Brown is active get even more creative and use a wildcat. Ladarius Green is another guy I'd like to see in the red zone.

Our run defense has been pretty consistent. That's McFadden, Johnson, and Turner we've stopped. Under 80 yards each. I know the Falcons rushed for over 100 but again I'm just saying.

Our run defense has been pretty consistent. That's McFadden, Johnson, and Turner we've stopped. Under 80 yards each. I know the Falcons rushed for over 100 but again I'm just saying.

Click to expand...

Run defense as been terrific. If our defense wasn't on the field for four and a half months today, they wouldn't have been so exhausted in the 4th and let up some. Either way, very tough unit, wonder what's more likely to happen: Pagano takes HC elsewhere, or takes Norv's job (I kid, it's early I know).

The first test in week three does not permanently decide who is a bad team or not. I'll remind everyone here that in 2006 the Chargers had two great games then lost two (one in very poor fashion, one they basically gave away) before running the table. 2007 We we're ready to fire Norv after four games when he went 1-3 after losing/giving away games vs Chiefs/Packers and being blown out by the Patriots. Didn't stop them from getting much better as year went on.

First test the Chargers failed and failed miserably. No questions about it. Doesn't mean its the end of the season. I'd like to see what we do vs the Chiefs (who showed some heart against an atrocious Saints D) and the Saints (who look a hell of a lot more beatable than we first thought at the start. Chargers can bounce back against those two teams it'll show that the Chargers are definitely not as bad as this game suggested. However can't deny that the Bolts need alot of work

With a bit of work, it isn't inconceivable that we could matchup to the better teams in the league. When it mattered most yesterday, we had the usual Charger shoot yourself in the foot moments.

Should be taking a 7-6 lead ---> Mathews fumble

Should be making them punt from their own endzone on the very next drive ---> Get a holding penalty that negates a sack, then let them drive 96 yards to TD over the next few minutes.

Coming towards half time: Driving again and looking promising ---> Bad decision by Rivers, ends up picked off, which leads to more points off the turnover.

3rd quarter: Another bad decision and un-necessary throw leads to another INT.

While some of the pressure Rivers faced can be attributed to injuries (e.g. No Gaither, the usual safe option to Gates not 100%, not 100% Mathews to establish a run game), a lot of this is the same old San Diego giving games away.

You don't win football games against good teams when you give up the ball through un-neccessary mistakes, then give away points off of turnovers. It is too early in the season to write the team off, but this poor decision making has plagued us for years now, and it clearly shows that execution and focus are as important as talent.

Just not sure what Norv's gameplan for this one was. I am in no way a football gameplan genius and even I know that we should have been in a power run offense for most of that game. We should have been mixing Mathews and Battle and running it down their throats. We were successful pretty much all game doing it (Which wasnt much cause we were passing so damn much). The power run game keeps their offense off the field. Thats how you beat a prolific offense.

Just not sure what Norv's gameplan for this one was. I am in no way a football gameplan genius and even I know that we should have been in a power run offense for most of that game. We should have been mixing Mathews and Battle and running it down their throats. We were successful pretty much all game doing it (Which wasnt much cause we were passing so damn much). The power run game keeps their offense off the field. Thats how you beat a prolific offense.

Click to expand...

Cant do that when you are down 3 TDs... But yes, that is the way we needed to attack. Even better PROTECT THE DAMN BALL!